System for applying wrappers



y 1931. T. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL 0 ,094

SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS Filed March 13, 1924 7 SheetsSheet l INVENTORS 'zs 2 f; W

,5 M 5 H'MxfBflE/V i l ATTORNEY.

May 5, 1931. "r. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL 94 SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS M w (5w A TTORNEY.

y 1931. T. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL ,094.

SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS Filed March 13, 1924 7 Shegts-Shet ,3

m H T... N ,mM M .V i U W W n B 3 an m. \N W, WW 2 :5: A

y 1931. T. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL 1 1,304,094

SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS Filed March 13, 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Will 5&18.

minim By M i Mai-( q I @ATTORNEY.

. NTOR M y 1931. 'r. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL ,80 ,094

SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS Filed March 13 192 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 & .ON .3

\ y 'r. A. F EDERWITZ ET AL 1,804,094

SYSTEM FQR APPLYING WRAPPERS I Filed March 13, 19 4 *r Sheets-Sheet- 6 g N a; @m T 6 4mm |u|| v WWN M m WP; r k .55? f a gal/ll, /Vl/ l m k. @RR E 8 5 4 2 am Y am .F m F .3 Nd wwu m 5; I d g, 5; .5: a? a; v v. 5 :5

. iii

E. E o 0 0:0 0 ;0 o o 0 6 y 931. 'r. A. FEDERWITZ ET AL ,094

SYSTEM FOR APPLYING WRAPPERS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 13, 1924 Patented May 5, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT O/FFICE THEODORE A. FEDERWITZ AND WALTER T; BAILEY, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS TO STOKES AND SMITH COMPANY, OF SUMMERDALE, PHILA- DELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A. CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM FOR APPLYING \YRAIPPERS Application filed March 13, 1924. Serial No. 698,841.

Our invention relates to the art of applying wrapper sheets or cover blanks to either stayed. or unstayed boxes -or box blanks, generically termed boxes and more particularly to a system or combination of units or mechanisms suitably synchronized or operating in definitely timed relation for automatically delivering to the box wrapplng or covering mechanism box blanks or wrapper sheets, or both box blanks and wrapper sheets.

In accordance with our invention there s provided for delivering box blanks to the wrapping mechanism conveyer mechan sm comprising blank moving structure whlch,

without recourse to reciprocating or OSClllatory parts, moves the blanks by chain structure, whose motion is preferably intermlttent with periods of rest coinciding substantially with the period of operation of the wrapping mechanism in efi'ecting its cycle of operations in applying a wrapper sheet to a box blank; and further inaccordance with our. invention we combine} with conveyer structure of the character -';aforesaid additional mechanism for feeding or delivering box blanks thereto.

Further in accordance with our invention there is provided for delivery of wrapper or cover blanks tothe box covering mechanism apparatus comprising chain, band, belt or equivalent structure, without reciprocating or oscillating parts, operating always in the same direction and provided with wrapper gripping mechanism carried by the chain or equivalent structure, the movement of wrapper sheets toward the wrapping mechanism being preferably intermittent, with periods of rest coinciding substantially with the periods during which the wrapper mechanism performs its cycle of operations; and further in accordance with our invention there are provided means, timed with respect to the operation of the wrapping mechanism for actuating or controlling the wrapper gripping mechanism.

Further in accordance with our invention the box conveyor chain and Wrapper blank conveying mechanism are combined in a conveyer unit; and in said conveyer unit the box and Wrapper blanks are separately fed or conveyed, in parallel paths, to the wrapping unit where they come into register with each other and meet; further in accordance with our invention there is utilized for eflecting the aforesaid intermittent movement of the box and wrapper blank feeding mechanism a Geneva or equivalent movement through which the feeding mechanism is driven, preferably by the wrapping unit; and further in accordance with our invention the conveyer unit takes the form of an attachment which may be applied to a wrapper unit or mechanism which is complete in itself and may be utilized either with or without the conveyer or feeder attachment.

Further in accordance with our invention there may be operatively combined or related with the conveyer structure a unit or mechanism which applies an adhesive to the wrapper blanks and delivers them to the conveyer mechanism; and further in accordance with our invention the adhesive applying unit or mechanism is provided with additional wrapper blank conveying structure intermediate that unit and the conveyer mechanism,

to which the gummed wrapper blanks are delivered and which delivers them to the conveyer structure which in turn delivers to the wrapping unit.

Further in accordance with our invention the wrapper gumming and delivering ma chine or unit is timed as to its operations with relation to the mechanism of the *wrapping unit by a supplemental cam, carried by the main cam of the wrapping mechanism, and a lever controlled by the supplemental cam and connected with the trip or control lever of the wrapper gumming and delivering unit.

Our invention resides in the system, apparatus and features of structure and arrangement hereinafter described and claimed. I

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, I

of a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational .view, on en- 1,0 part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, partly in horizontal section on the jline 7-7 of Fig. 8. K

Fig. 8 is a side. elevational new of the structure shown in Fig. 7, partly in vertical section. 4

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on the lines 9-9 of Figs. 5 and 6, and

partly in elevation.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on the lines 10-10 of Figs. 5and 6, and partly in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on the lines 11-11, Figs. 7 and 8, and partly in elevation.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, on the lines 1212, Figs. 7 and '8, and partly in elevation.

Figs. 13 and 14 are, respectively, plan and elevational views of a fragment of a conveyer chainand attached gripping mechanism.

Fig. 15 is an end elevational View of the structure shown in Fig. 14, and partly in section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the control for the wrapper-gripping mechanism. I

Figs. 17 and 18 are, respectively, fragmentary plan and side elevational views of a modified form of wrapper-conveying structure.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, there are shown a gumming or gluing machine or unit G and a wrapping machine or unit W co-operatively related by mechanism which synchronizes the operations or movements of the unit G with the operations or movements of the unit W and by a conveying unit C which delivers to the wrapping unit W box units and gummed wrappers the latter gummed and delivered by the unit G.

The unit or mechanism G may be of any suitable type capable of applying adhesive to a sheet of box-wrapping paper or. other material and delivering the gummed wrappers in succession at uniform intervals. In the example illustrated, the unit G is of the type disclosed in Letters Patent 1,472,614, with the addition thereto of means for conveyin the gummed wrappers to the conveyer unit The wrappin unit or mechanism W may be of any suitab e character or structure, and

in the example illustrated is broadly ofthe type disclosed in prior Letters Patent to Smith No. 691,329, and more specifically of the type disclosed in Letters Patent 1,540,900 to Nlts'ch and Federwitz, and still more specifically of the character disclosed in our Letters Patent 1,541,036.

The conveying unit C is, however, of novel construction, and is preferably in such form as to constitute a unit which may be added as an attachment to another machine or mechanism, or more particularly, to a wrapping unitor mechanism such as W, or equivalent.

The adhesive-applying unit G is driven at suitable speed by any'suitable source of power and operates to move single wrapper sheets in succession from the stack a of unglued wrappers into the mechanism where there is applied thereto, on one side thereof,

any suitable adhesive, as glue, the sheets eventually finding their way to the conveyer belts 6, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, driven by the rolls a, a, of the unit G, and passing over the idler rolls (2, d. Carried by the frame .of the unit G are the arms 6, e, in whose outer ends is journalled the shaft f carrying the idler drum or pulley g, upon which and the aforesaid roller cl travels the conveyer belt 71. passin between and driven by the aforesaid driving drums or rolls 0, the belt 71. and its associated operating mechanism constituting an addition to the unit G not disclosed in the aforesaid Letters Patent 1,472,614.

The mechanism of the unit G is synchronized with or timed by the mechanism of the wrapping unit W, which latter comprises the main cam A driven directly, or preferably through suitable clutch mechanism, by the worm gear 71 driven by the worm 7', which is in turn continuously driven by the pulley la, which in turn is driven at suitable speed by any suitable source of power. As described in our Letters Patent 1,541,036, the

rotati em unison w the bifivcl. get. I!!! cam A drives intermes ing bevel pinions n, which drive the cams, such as 0, of the various slide units for operating the various tools or instrumentalities, including brushes p and rolls 9, for applying the wrapper to the box blank, the cam A also effecting and timing the movements of the main form block or plunger. 7" and the auxiliary form block or plunger 8, which move downwardly, carrying the box and wrapper therewith, in opposition to the platen t, as well understood in connection with this type of machines.

Upon. the cam A is a lug or subsidiary cam a, which, once for each revolution of the cam A, and therefore once for each cycle of operations of unit W, thrusts outwardly on the pin o, carried by the housing w, thereby moving the bell crank lever x, pivoted at 3 and connected by cord or wire 2 with the trip lever (11 of the unit G, whereby for each cycle of operation of the unit W the unit G gums and delivers one sheetv of the box-wrapping material, the controlling cam it being so posiwrapper-sheet-conveying mechanism C is atrest.

The base, frame or support for the conveying unit C may be such that it may be independently supported upon a floor or other structure of a building. However, it is preferred, and as indicated, the base or frame for the mechanism 0 is such that it may be applied as an attachment to the housing,-frame or table 61 of the unit W, with the result that the units W may be made'and sold as such, independently of the unit 0, and the units C may be supplied as attachments for and addi tional to the units W. Q

The base or support 1 of the unit G has a portion secured to the table 61 of the unit W and carries a h'ousin 2 for the gear 3 secured upon the shaft 4 driven by the pinion n and carrying the gear 01, which drives the cam o, the shaft .4 having a bearing in the hub 5 carried by the housing 2. Within the hou sing 6 is the stub shaft 7 having a bearlng 1n the hub 8 carried by housing 6. Secured upon the shaft 7 is the gear 9, meshing with and driven by the gear 3. Upon the shaft 10, similarly supported within and by the casing 6, is the wheel or disk 11 of the Geneva move ment comprising the slots 12, in which engages in succession the pinor roller 13 carried upon the crank arm 14 secured upon the shaft 7, whereby with uniform angular velocity of the gears 3 and 9 the member 11 partakes of intermittent movement. The member 11 is secured to the gear 15, which similarly partakes of the intermittent movement and intermittently drives the therewith meshing pinion 16 secured upon the shaft 17.

lVhile we have shown and prefer 2. Geneva movement for producing intermittent movement of the shaft 17, it will be understood that any equivalent means may be utillzed for the purpose.

Secured upon the shaft 17 is the bevel gear 18 meshing with and driving the bevel gear 19 secured upon the horizontal or transversely extending shaft 20 bearing in and splined to b the collars 22, which have portions of smaller diameter rotating within the journals 21 and having secured to their opposite ends the spiral gears 23, 23, meshing with and driving the spiral gears 24 and 25 secured upon and driving the shafts 26 and 27, respectively. The shafts 26 and 27 have bearings carried by the members 28, 28,'whieh with the journals 21 are carried upon the longitudinally extending housing members 29, 29, which are in turn secured upon the transversely movable slide members 30, slidable transversely in guide ways formed in the base or support 1, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. Threaded in the slide members 30 are the screws 31, 31, pitched in opposite senses, and rotatable by the head 32, upon application of a crank or wrench, for moving the slides 30 toward or away from each other, as viewed in Fig. 3, for accommodating box blanks of different sizes, as hereinafter described, the collars 22 and gears 23 sliding by their splines longitudinally of the shaft 20 when such transverse adjustment is made.

Adj accnt the right end of each of the housings 29, as viewed in Figs. 7, 8 and 12, and supported thereby is a stub shaft 33 having the squared end 34, for receiving a wrench or the like, and having its opposite end squared, as indicated at 35', for engaging and rotating the sprocket wheel 36, between which and the nut 37, threaded upon the shaft 33, is clamped the spiral gear 38, meshing with the spiral gear 39 and driven by the shaft 26 on one side and the shaft 27 on the other side of the unit C, each gear 38 having a cylindrical shank rotating in the bearing 40 and carried by the member 29.

At the left or opposite ends of each of the housings 29, as viewed in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 9, there is carried thereby a stub shaft 41, upon which rotates the idler sprocket 42. A sprocket chain 43, belt or equivalent, is driven by the sprocket 36 and at the opposite end passes over the idler sprocket 42.

Spaced at suitable preferably equal intervals along the chain 43 are several wrapperor cover-gripping mechanisms carried by the chain, as indicated in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 13 15 inclusive, there is formed as part of one of the links 44 of the chain 43 a bracket having the vertically extending portions 45 con nected by the portion 46. Carried at the right ends of the bracket members 45, as viewed in F igs. 13 and '14, is the pin or shaft 47 rotatable with respect to the members 45.

Secured to the shaft 47 between the members 45 is the hub member 48, to which is secured the arm or lever 49 carrying at its end a pin 50 which enters a slot extending across the end of the member 51 having a bore within which is disposed the helical spring 52, the spring eing in compression between the pin 50 and the bottom of the bore in the member 51. Integral with the member 51 are the arms or lugs 53 and 54. Secured to the pin or shaft 47 is the gripper or picker finger 55. Carried by or forming an extension of the aforesaid tie member 46 is the platen or palm 56, on to which a gummed wrapper sheet. is guided and is stopped by or comes into register with the surface 57 on the member 45, the finger 55, at predetermined time hereinafter described, snapping downwardly, under the influence of spring 52, to grip the sheet a between the finger 55'and the palm 56, thereby in effect attaching the sheet a to the travelling chain 43 and carried forward by it.

Returning to Fig. 3, there is shown in a side face of the gear 9 a cam slot 58 of uniform radius for the greater part of the circumference, but having adjacent the region 59 an inwardly extending portion. In the cam slot 58 engage the two cam followers or rollers 60 and 61, carried, respectively, at the ends of the arms 62 and 63, respectively, of hell crank levers pivoted upon the pin 64, and whose other arms 65 and 66 connect, respectively, with the vertically extending links 67 and 68, pivoted at their upper ends to the bell crank levers 69 and 70, respectively, and respectively secured upon the shafts 71 and 7 2, to which are secured, respectively, the arms 73 and 74, Fig. 1. Pivoted to the arm 74 is the link.7 5,

pivoted at its other end to the lever arm 76 secured upon the shaft 77, Figs. 1 and 8, whose bearing is carried by the housing 29. Secured upon the shaft 77 is a lever arm 78, to which is pivoted at 79 a tripper bar 80 pivoted at 81 to the lever arm 82 pivoted to the housing 29 at 83. There is a tripper bar 80 and its described associated controlling and operating members within and carried by each of the two housings 29, spaced from each other on opposite sides of the unit G.

As indicated in Fig. 8, the tripper bar 80 is disposed in the path of travel of the aforesaid lug or member 54 of the gripper mechanism, whereby, depression 59 of the cam slot 58, both tripper bars 80, in their respective housings 29 on opposite sides of the unit C ,-are forced downwardly, engaging the lugsor arms 54 of the tripper mechanism, rotating the member 51- containing the spring 52 in opposition to that spring until dead center position is reached, and thereafter the spring completes the counterclockwise movement of the members 54 and 51, and clockwise movement of the pin 50, thereby rotating the shaft47 and the finger 55 in clockwise direction'tothe position indicated in Fig. 8, thereby releasing the wrapper sheet a.

When the cam follower 60 is actuated by the depression 59 in the cam slot 58, the link 67 actuates the bell crank 69, thereby actuating the shaft 71, Figs. 1 and 16, and the shaft 71 actuates by arm 73 attached thereto and by its bell crank 69 the links 84 connected to arms 85, secured to shafts 86, to which are secured the arms 87, to which are pivoted the tripper bars 88, Fig. 6, pivoted to'arms 89 pivoted to the pins or shafts 90, which and the shafts 86 are carried by the housing members 29, the P tripper bar 88 and its control mechanism described being in duplicate, one on each side of the unit C.

As indicated in Fig. 6, when the tripper bar 88 is moved downwardly as effected by the control of the cam follower 60, the arm or lug 53 of the gripper mechanism is depressed, in

when the cam follower 61 is in the opposition to the spring 52 of the tripper mechanism, causing rotation of the member 51 in clockwise direction accompanied by counterclockwise movement of the member 49, shaft 47 and finger 55, the finger 55 snapping, under the influence of the spring 52, after the pin 50 passes the dead center position, into contact with a wrapper sheet a, gripping it to the palm 56, as Indicated in Figs. 6 and 14, thereby attaching the wrapper sheet a to the chain 43 until the latter moves the gripping mechanism to the osition indicated in Fig. 8, when, as before escribed, the gripping finger 55 releases the sheet a.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, there is disposed in each of the housings 29, on opposite sides of the unit C, a box translating chain, band or equivalent 91 driven by the sprocket wheel 92 and passing over the idler sprocket 93. The driving sprocket wheel 92 is mounted upon a squared end 94 of the shaft 95 having at its opposite end the squared portion 96 for reception of a wrench,

crank or the like. Threaded upon the shaft 95 is a nut 97, between which and the sprocket 92 is firmly clamped the spiral gear 98, which drives the sprocket 92 and whose shank rotates within the bearing 99 on the housing 29. The gear 98 meshes with and isdriven by the spiral gear 100. The gears 100 on opposite sides of the unit C are mounted, respectively, on the shafts 26 and 27 and driven thereby.

The idler sprocket 93 rotates upon the fixed shaft 101 carried by the housing 29.

Secured to each of the chains 91 is a plurality of box-engaging and pushing members 102, each provided with a roller 103 which rolls upon the plate 104, thereby supporting the chain in its span between its driving and idler sprockets. As indicated in Figs. 9 and 12 to 15 inclusive, a similar roller 4311 supports the chain 43 by rolling upon the plate 29a, on opposite sides of the unit C, along which the sheet a is drawn.

At the inner edges of the plates 104 are the stationary plates or shelves 105, upon which and between the edges ofthe plates 104 are moved forward by the members 102 the boxes or box blanks B, which are delivered on to the members 105 by hand or by the conveyer belt 106, Figs. 1, 2 and 4, passing over the driving roll 107 secured'upon the shaft 108 mounted in bearings carried by the members 29 and driven by the spiral gear 109 meshing with and driven by the spiral gear 110 secured upon the shaft 26. The belt 106 asses over the idler roller 111 secured upon the shaft 112 having bearings carried by the members 29. Disposed on opposite sides of the belt 106 are the box guide ways 113 ofa chute-like structure having the lateral cheek members 114.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, there is disposed between the roll 03 at the right or delivery end of the conveyer belt b and the roll 9 a series of picker or wrapper sheet guiding members 115 having slots receiving the transversely extending supporting bars 116, carried by the arms e, the several members 115 being suitably spaced from each other by the collars or washers 117 disposed upon the bars 116 between the members 115. The upper edges of the members 115 are slightly inclined, from left to right as viewed in Fig. 4, from a position slightly below the upper side of the conveying belt h at the left end of the members 115 to a height sub stantially thatof the upper face of the upper side of the belt h as it approaches the roll g, whereby the sheet a as it is advanced toward the right by the belt h is raised by the right ends of the members 115 and guided on to the palm 56 against the surface 57 of the sheet-gripping mechanism.

The mechanism of the conveyer unit C is adjustable to accommodate different sizes of boxes or box blanks. To accommodate different lengths of boxes or box blanks, the adjusting screw 31 is rotated by application of a crank or wrench to its square end '32, thereby moving the members 30 toward or away from each other, as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby bringing the members 29 and the mechanism supported thereby and the plates 104 and 105 toward or away from each other to position to suit the length of box involved. The distance along each chain 91 between neighboring box-pushing members 102 is made at least as great as and somewhat greater than the width of the largest box or box blank to be operated upon. The position of the pusher members 102 with respect to the beginning or end, or any other time or point of or within the cycle of operations of the wrapping machine W, is determinable and adjustable by altering the angular relation of the driving sprocket 92 with respect to its driving gear 98. This is effected by loosening the nut 97, thereby freeing the sprocket 92 from its driving gear 98, and applying a wrench, crank or the like to the squared end 96 of the shaft 95 and rotating it and thereby the sprocket 92, which accordingly similarly adjusts the position of the chain 91 and the members 102 carried thereby. When adjustment to desired position has been effected, the nut 97 is again tightened, thereby again in effect securing the sprocket 92 to its driving gear 98.

Furthermore, the time when the front or advance edge of a wrapper sheet a engages and is gripped by the gripper mechanism is adjustable, and accordingly the time relation of the forward or advance edge of a sheet a with respect to the beginning, end or any intermediate point of the cycle of operation of the wrapping machine W is similarly adjustable by loosening the nut 37 upon shaft 33, thereby in effect disconnecting the sprocket 36 The operation of the apparatus is as follows After effecting the adjustments of the char acter above described, both units G and W are started and thereafter continuously operated. Box blanks, either in the form of stayed boxes as indicated at B, or in the form of unstayed sheets suitably creased for forming a box by operation of the unit W, are supplied from time to time and at suitable rate to the conveyer belt 106, which delivers the blanks in succession on to the shelf members 105, whereupon they are in succession engaged by pairs of fingers 102 on the opposite sides of the unit C and transferred by the chains 91 from left toward the right, in Fig. 1, by an intermittent motion as determined by the Geneva or equivalent movement.

Simultaneously the unit G delivers gummed wrapper sheets to the belt I), from which they are transferred to the belt h, and the forward or advance edges of each of the sheets in succession come into engagement with the surface 57 of the successive gripper mechanisms and are immediately thereafter gripped by the fingers 55, which are tripped by the tripper bars 88, operated in suitably timed relation by the cam follower 60. This occurs while the chain 43 is at rest. Thereafter the chain moves the sheet a from left toward the right, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 6, a sheet a eventually being brought torest in position upon the platen t of the unit W, and at the same time the tripper bars 80, under control of the cam follower 61, trip the gripping mechanism to free the sheet a from chain 43. At the same time a box unit comes to rest in proper register above the .sheet upon the platen t, having been delivered to this position off from the shelf members 105 which terminate adjacent the left side of the platen t, Fig. 1, whereupon the unit W performs its cycle of operations in applying the wrapper sheet to the box blank, during descent of the platen t and the plungers or form blocks 1- and s, which upon completion of the box-covering operation return to their normal positions indicated in Fig. 1, the completed box,

being stripped byv the stripper bars all, all from the form block structure, leaving the completed box upon the platen t, which is now at its uppermost position, the bottom of the finished box being at the level of the upper faces of the plates 29a at the right end of the unit C, there being gaps betweenthese plates 29a and those to the left thereof, Fig. 1, to afford space for the platen t.

During the above described cycle of opera tions, due to the action of the Geneva or equivalent movement, both chains 43 and 91 are at rest. Immediately the cycle of the unit W is completed, the chains 13 and 91 again advance, bringing into register above the platen t a second wrapper sheet, and the pins 47 of the gripper mechanisms which so bring the second sheet into register with the platen t push the previously covered and completed box from the left toward the right from the platen t on to the upper sides of the plates 29a at the extreme right of the unit C, the finished boxes as so successively advanced on to these plates 29a eventually dropping off the right end of the unit C.

The successive operations of the unit G in gumming and delivering sheets to the unit 0 are timed and governed by the cam it carried by and suitably positioned circumferentially of the main cam A of the unit W.

Referring to Figs. 17 and 18, there is shown a modified structure for guiding the gummed Wrapper sheets a delivered by the belt 72. to the gripper mechanism. In lieu of the guide or picker'members 115, Figs. 2 and 4, there are utilized cord or rope belts 115a passing over the roller 9 and driven thereby, and passing over the idler roller 118, which is sufficiently low to cause the upper sides of the belts 115a to incline upwardly from left toward the right, Fig. 17, the wrapper sheet extending to both sides of its conveyer belt h and picked up by and carried forward by the belts 115a.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2', the standard or column e1, secured upon the table 121 of the unit W, and carrying at its upper end f1, Fig. 1, mechanism for supporting and operating the form block plungers r, s and the stripper bars (11, is disposed at a corner of the table or base 61, or, in general, between the slide units which operate the wrapperapplying instrumentalities and which are disposed, respectively, at right angles to each other or upon neighboring sides of the table 61, the upper portion of the column e1 extending diagonally of the base or table 61 to proper position above the plates 25, in the general direction of the web 91 of the post or column 61. The subject matter of this application, germane to our co-pending application Serial No. 40,7 69, filed July 1, 1925, is broadly claimed therein.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that a feature of our invention resides in the grouping of a wrapping machine or unit and a wrapper gumming and deliver-' ing machine or unit, each separately operable as such, with a conveyer mechanism or unit, for delivering both wrapper sheets and boxes or box blanks to the wrapping machine, all operating in timed relation with respect to each other; and the conveyer mechanism or unit is detachable or removable from the group, leaving the wrapping machine or unit and the gumming machine or unit free to perform their usual and separate functions.

A further feature of our invention as hereinbefore described, resides in the provision of means whereby the wrapper sheets or blanks are properly registered or brought to predetermined and definite position at the point Where the conveyer mechanism assumes control thereof for later delivery to the wrapping unit.

In operating a system or grouping of the character hereinbefore described, the attendant or operator takes a position at or accessible to that part of the conveyer mechanism at which the boxes or box blanks are deliv- -eredthereto and accessible to or within easy reach of the stack of wrapper sheets carried by the wrapper gumming and delivering unit G which latter is so positioned that the aforesaid stack is presented toward the operator vglho stands between it and the wrapping mac me.

In case un-stayed box blanks are to be fed. 7

to the wrap ing machine by the conveyer mechanism such blanks in flat or substantially flat or sheet form may be disposed in a stack at the input end of the unit C and delivered thereto one at a time by suitable mechanism supplanting the auxiliary box delivering mechanism comprising the belt 106.

What we claim is:

1. The combination with a machine for delivering wrapper sheets in succession and comprising a sheet-conveying belt and rollers over which said belt travels, of a support carried by said machine, a roller carried by said support, a second belt passing over said roller and whose delivery end extends beyond the delivery end of said first named belt, and wrapper sheet-guiding means extending longitudinally of and inclined upwardly with respect to said second named belt and in the direction of movement of said wrappers for guiding wrapper sheets therefrom.

2. The combination with a machine for delivering wrapper sheets in succession and comprisin a sheet-conveying belt and rollers over w ich said belt travels, of a support carried by said machine, a roller carried by said support, a second belt overlapping said first named belt and whose delivery end extends beyond the delivery end of said first named belt, said second belt passing over a roller concentric. with one of the rollers of said first named belt, and wrapper sheetguiding means extending longitudinally of and inclined upwardly with respect to said second named belt for guiding wrapper sheets therefrom.

3. The combination with a machine for delivering wraplper sheets in succession and comprlsmg a s set-conveying belt and roll- .mechanism carried by said member, and

wrapper sheet-guiding means extending longitudinally and inclined upwardly with respect to said second named belt for guiding a wrapper therefrom to said gripping mechanism.

4. Wrapper sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a wrapper sheet-supportlng member, a chain movable longitudinally of said member substantially parallel to the sheet-supporting surface of said member, sheet-gripping mechanism carried by and movable with said chain, and a roller movable with said chain and engaging said supporting member.

5. Wrapper sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a chain, sheet-gripping mechanism carried by and movable with said chain, a wheel for driving said chain, a gear having a sleeve, a shaft for said wheel extending through said sleeve, and means on said shaft for holding said gear in fixed relation with respect to said wheel in position to which said gear is adjusted with respect to said wheel.

6. Wrapper sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a chain, sheet-gripping mechanism carried by and movable with said chain, a gear'for driving said chain, a second gear meshing with and driving said gear, a shaft driving said second gear, a second shaft, a driving connection between saidshafts comprising a driving member driven by and movable longitudinally of said second shaft, a support for said chain and its driving mechanism, and meansfor adjusting said support longitudinally of said second shaft.

7. Wrapper sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a chain, sheet-gripping mechanism carried by and movable with said chain, a gear for driving said chain, a second gear meshing with and driving said gear, a shaft driving said second gear, a second shaft, a driving connection between said shafts com prising a driving member driven by and movable longitudinally of said second shaft, a support for said chain and its driving mechanism, means for adjusting saidsupport longitudinally of said second shaft, and means for imparting intermittent movements to said second shaft.

8. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising a box-conveying chain, a wrapper sheet-conveying chain, a support common to said chains, and means for adjusting said support to different positions simultaneously to adjust the position of said conveyor chains.

9. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism com rising a box-conveying chain, a wrapper sleet-conveying chain, a support common to said chains, andmeans for adjusting said support to different positions transversely of the direction of movement of said chains. I 10. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising a box-conveylng chain, a wrapper sheet-conveying chain, means common to said chains for driving them, a support-for said chains and their driving means, and means for adjusting said support to difierent positions.

11. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising a box-conveying chain, a wrapper sheet-conveying chain, means common to said chains for driving them, a support for said chains and their driving means, and means for adjusting said support to different positions transversely of the direction of movement of said chains.

12. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising supports spaced from each other and extending longitudinall of the path of box and sheet movements, boxand wrapper sheet-conveying chains carried by each of said supports, and means for adjusting the distance between said supports.

13. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising supports spaced from each other and extending longitudinally of the path of box and sheet movements, boxand wrapper sheet-conveying chains carried by each of said supports, the box-conveying chains being disposed in different planes from the sheet-conveying chains, and means for adjusting the distance between said supports.

14. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising supports spaced from each other and extending longitudinally of the path of box and sheet movements, boxand wrapper sheet-conveying chains carried by each of said supports, and means for moving both supports for adjusting the distance between them.

15. Boxand wrapper sheet-conveyer mechanism comprising supports spaced from each other and extending longitudinally of the path of box and sheet movements, boxand wrapper sheet-conveying chains carried by each of said supports, the box-conveying chains being disposed in different planes from the sheet-conveying chains, and means for moving both supports for adjusting the distance between them.

16. Sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a chain, and sheet gripping mechanism attached thereto and movable therewith com-v prising relatively movable members between which a sheet is gripped, mechanism for actuating one of said members comprising members pivoted on parallel axes at a distance from each other, one. of said members having a bore, a spring in said bore, the other of said members engaging one of said members and said spring, for either gripping or releasing a sheet upon movement of said members to opposite sides of a dead center position.

17. Sl1ect-feedi11g mechanism comprising a chain, and sheet gripping mechanism attached thereto and movable therewith comprising a frame, a palm member carried thereby, a sheet-registering face on said frame, a gripping member, and means for effecting movement of said gripping member toward and away from said palm member.

18. Sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a chain, and sheet-gripping mechanism attached thereto and movable therewith comprising a frame, a palm member carried thereby, a gripping member pivoted on said frame, and spring-operated mechanism carried by said frame and movable to opposite sides of a dead center position for actuating said gripping member in opposite directions.

19. Sheet-feeding mechanism comprising a chain, and sheet gripping mechanism attached thereto and movable therewith comprising a frame, a palm member carried thereby, a gripping member pivoted on said frame, spring-operated mechanism carried by said frame and movable to opposite sides of a dead center position for actuating said gripping member in opposite directions, and members occupying different angular positions with respect to said spring-operated mechanism for respectively controlling said spring-operated mechanism to effect movements thereof in opposite directions.

20. Sheet-conveying mechanism comprising a chain, and sheet gripping mechanism attached thereto and movable therewith comprising a frame, a palm member carried by said frame, a gripping member movable with respect to said palm member, and mechanism carried by said frame for-imparting to said gripping member snapping movements inopposite directions.

21. In a system including a wrapping machine, mechanism for applying a coating of adhesive to sheets, sheet-conveying mechanism simultaneously to transport a plurality of coated sheets and to deliver them in succession to said wrapper machine, and sheet transporting mechanism to deliver coated sheets from said adhesive-applying mechanism to said sheet conveying mechanism.

22. In a system including a wrapping ma chine, mechanism for applying a coating of adhesive to sheets, sheet-conveying mecha-.

relation to said wrapping machine to feed sheets in succession from a stack to adhesivecoating mechanism, sheet-conveying mechanism intermittently movable in one direction and operating in timed relation to said wrap- )in machine simultaneousl to trans ort a plurality of coated sheets and to deliver them THEODORE A. FEDERWITZ. WALTER T. BAILEY. 

